Chlorophytum meridionale subsp. meridionale Pignal, Phillipson & Bardot-Vaucoulon, 2026, sp. nov.

A new subspecies of Chlorophytum, Chlorophytum meridionale subsp. meridionale, has been formally described from the Andrefana Dry Forests of Madagascar. This discovery highlights the species' unique morphological traits, including a rhizomatous basal stem with thickened roots, graminoid leaves, and distinctive floral structures such as white perianths with green or brown tepals and two groups of stamens with varying filament lengths. The subspecies is primarily found in sub-arid bioclimatic zones across southern Madagascar, thriving on diverse substrates like crystalline rocks, limestone, sandy soils, and steep cliffs, often in deciduous dry forests or open shrublands. Phenological observations reveal flowering from December to March, with fruits documented in February and March. The description is based on extensive field collections and morphological analysis, contributing to the understanding of Madagascar's unique flora within UNESCO-listed dry forests.

Pignal, M., Phillipson, P. B., & Bardot-Vaucoulon, M. (2026). Chlorophytum meridionale subsp. meridionale Pignal, Phillipson & Bardot-Vaucoulon, 2026, sp. nov. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.18762541